Some searching and I found the need to backflush. But, I do not have a blind basket handy - and getting a second portafilter, hmm, need to think about that. My first try was to put a bit of cling film over the basket. This works, but starts leaking fast. Also a bit tedious to do. Second try: take a big coin (half dollar was what I had handy), wrap in cling film, and put that in the 7 gram basket. Works pretty well, but the coin coul dleave a metallic taste, and a gain, a bit messy to clean up.

Then I realized I have a rubber sheet. Cut out a piece a fraction bigger than the coin. Works very well to close off the 7 gram basket!

This must be the easiest way to backflush: after removing the puck and rinse, just drop in the rubber, backflush, take out rubber and done.

The rubber but itself is heavy enough, but someone could come up with a weighted piece with a tiny handle for some $$$.

I thought that my method is actually more handy, and about as good (if there are grounds left, the rubber will float up).

Just a flat piece of rubber to put on the bottom of the basket. Water pressure holds it down. Less hassle than putting in and removing the extra basket.

I don't know if there are any better methods even? I'd love to hear from a basket with aan expandable bottom (bellows, or a material that expands into the portafilter) to flush back extra water from under the group, where it counts.

many of us who use the blind basket, have more than one handle and just leave it in one of them, so all we have to do is change handles, but like you said, for some people the rubber insert is more convenient.

However, I wouldn't backflush my machine with grounds in the basket, unless you have a vey tightly fitting insert...which will then not "float up" as you said. The point is to try to clean the group, why would you do that with something that's dirty?

.Always remember the most important thing is what ends up in your cup!

back flushing with grounds in basket is like washing in dirty water. the reason to back flush is to clean showers in group.by back flushing with grounds in basket you will burn the coffee and cause a bitter taste for futher coffee. the rubber disc is the one we use in uk. always use it in same size handle as it will take shape of basket, if you use it in 7gr basket it takes that shape but wont work in double shot handle. as basket is flatter at bottom and water will leak through and not back flush.you also need to use a cleaning powder when you backflush. also dissolve some cleaning powder in water and get a brush and clean the group where the handle goes to remove any coffee grounds if not you will get a sour taste due to the burnt coffeeon group. cleaning must be done every day. also once a week remove the showers from group and shower block and soakin a solution of water and cleaning powder. on the shower block make sure all holes are clear so you get even flow of waterthrough to the coffee. a paper clip is a good tool for poking through the holes. if you are an americano drinker put hot water into cup then put an espress shot on top,this way you will keep the creme. if you put espresso into cup then put hot water on top you will burn the coffee. you will see a complete difference in coffee presentation and taste when the showers and showerblock is cleaned.all coffees are based on an espresso measure. cappuccino espresso with foamed milk, latte espresso with warmed milk and foamed milk topping, americano hot water topped with espresso.extraction time for espress should be between 22/24 secs. once you have your grinder set ut to deliver the 7gr single dose time your extraction time for an espresso, if quicker than 22/24 secs set grinder to a finer setting, if longer set to coarser setting. only put enough beans in hopper to last two days as the will go off. only grind them as you need them as ground beans will deteriate within 20mins exposed to air.hope this helps and a merry espresso to you all

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